There are creatures, such as elementals, which have a slam attack.
What is a slam attack and can you use a monk's unarmed attack to do a slam attack?
Unarmed strike is different from a slam attack, they are not one and they same.
A slam attack is nebulous and not well defined, seeing as creatures like oozes (amporhous blobs) have slam attacks.
In any event no, you cannot call a monk's unarmed strike a slam attack. Especially not for the purposes of delivering a special rider effect that is normally attached to the slam. Or to get the slam damage instead of the normal unarmed strike damage.
It is also considered the 'generic' natural attack option. However, unless you have a feature giving you a slam attack, player characters do not come with it. Monk attacks are unarmed strikes.
A slam is a natural attack, much like a blunt claw. Natural attacks are not the same as unarmed strikes.
In fact, without the feat Feral Combat Training a monk cannot use flurry of blows in conjunction with natural attacks.
If you were writing up a style feat chain based upon the natural attack of elementals, what would the three feats contain?
I'm a running a druid and recent events have caused me to look at adding monk to the mix. (became champion to a lost god whose preferred attack was the slam)
I'm aware of the weapon focus (slam), feral combat (slam) chain needed to use the natural attack in elemental form with monk abilities, but I was looking to show the influence of the elementals' combat on the monk.
By the way, have you noticed a martial artist needs take weapon focus on unarmed combat only, but a natural weapons fighter must take it multiple times for different attacks?
Actually, a single feat incorporating slams into unarmed combat would be stylish enough.
Any ideas?
Actually, a single feat incorporating slams into unarmed combat would be stylish enough.
Any ideas?
Feral Combat Training, assuming you have a slam attack to begin with.
Otherwise, I'm not really aware of a way to gain a slam attack on any permanent basis.
examples:
Crane Style: Crane style focuses on defense and agile counterattacks. Practitioners are known for graceful, one-legged stances and folding arm techniques that mimic a crane's enormous wings.
Dragon Style: Dragon style captures the overwhelming power, grace, and ferocity of dragons.
Earth Child Style: A warrior cadre of dwarves and gnomes dedicated to fighting and slaying giants developed this style.
Mantis Style: Based on the hunting techniques of the praying mantis, practitioners of this style fight with their hands turned down to emulate the insect's sharp grasping forelimbs.
Marid Style: Marid style emulates the fluid strength of flowing rivers and the cold of the ocean depths.
Snake Style: Snake style emphasizes quick, shifting movements. Its practitioners normally hold their hands flat with the fingers together to mimic the head of a snake.
Snapping Turtle Style: The snapping turtle style emphasizes active defense with one hand.
Tiger Style: This style seeks to emulate the power and fury of the great tiger.
So:
Feat- Powerful Slam Style
Preq. IUS, Wildshape (Elemental form)
This character has fought both unarmed and in the form of an elemental enough to combine the two. As full round action, make an unarmed attack. If it hits, add 1 1/2 times your strength bonus (as if using a two handed weapon) and make a free grapple check against the same foe. You must make a second attack roll, but you do not trigger an attack of opportunity.
or
feat- Trigger Slam
preq (weapon focus (slam), follower of a good whose favored weapon is the slam, IUC)
The character may incorporate the concept of a slam in his unarmed attacks. Once per round, when he succeeds on a unarmed attack, he may also do a bull rush maneunver against his target. This uses the same attack roll as the original attack and does not trigger an attack of opportunity, but he may not follow up the movement.
These are just examples.
I am looking to bring the influence of the favored weapon (slam) to my combat when not in elemental form.